Devastated Rory McIlroy made abrupt US Open exit and couldn’t bring himself to greet winner Bryson DeChambeau
A heartbroken Rory McIlroy left Pinehurst abruptly without greeting US Open winner Bryson DeChambeau after his agonising near-miss.
McIlroy led two strokes with five to play but made three bogeys in the final four holes in a devastating collapse that saw him miss out on a first major in 10 years.
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DeChambeau, winning his second major, ended one shot clear of the Northern Irishman.
McIlroy missed a three foot putt on the 18th and watched the final scenes on a TV in the recorder's hut.
DeChambeau made a stunning up and down from a bunker on the last to seal victory.
reports that McIlroy headed straight for a car at Pinehurst before the winner had even signed his card.
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DeChambeau is reported to have asked officials why he had not seen McIlroy in the aftermath of his victory.
Four-time major winner McIlroy avoided the media waiting in the car park and headed straight to an airport just a few miles from the course.
He was already in the air less than an hour after DeChambeau had won and before he had even started his press conference.
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DeChambeau had stayed to congratulate Scottie Scheffler at the USPGA last month after missing out by a single shot.
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He was believed to be surprised that McIlroy was not there to offer his congratulations, but seemed to understand and said he felt for his rival.
“Rory is one the best to ever play and being able to fight against a great like that is pretty special," he said.
"For him to miss that putt, I’d never wish it on anybody.
“Rory will win multiple more major championships. There’s no doubt. I think that fire in him is going to continue to grow and I have nothing but respect for how he plays the game of golf.”
It is now 3,599 days since winning the 2014 US PGA for McIlroy as that all elusive fifth major continues to haunt him.
Commentating for Sky Sports, six-time major winner Sir Nick Faldo said: "That's going to haunt Rory for the rest of his life, those two misses."
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DeChambeau was a popular figure all week and it was a poignant moment to secure that win for him on Father's Day.
He said: "I want to say Happy Father's Day to all the dad's out there.
"Unfortunately my dad passed a couple of years ago and this one is for him.
"I can't believe that up and down on the last, that was probably the best shot of my life. That's huge to get up and down and win this prestigious championship - that will be the highlight of my life."
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